Patent GB-834586-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for preparing laminated glass assemblies
IPC: B32B17/10
Filed: 1956-10-05
Abstract: 834,586. Laminating curved glass sheets. PITTSBURGH PLATE GLASS CO. Oct. 5, 1956 [Oct. 24, 1955], No. 30413/56. Class 140. [Also in Group XXX] A method for assembling first and second matched curved sheets of glass while inserting a thermoplastic interlayer therebetween comprises continuously moving both sheets together on support means with the second glass sheet initially in abutting and matching relationship with the first and, during the continuous movement of both sheets on the support means, moving the second curved sheet away from the first, placing the interlayer on the first sheet and placing the second sheet on the interlayer, the movement of the second glass sheet away from and toward the first being effected, at least in part, by means associated with said support means. As shown, two vacuum cups actuable to support and secure the under- and top surfaces of the pair of matched glass sheets, are mounted on a carriage 24, which is drawn by a conveyer system in a cyclic path, part of which is in a horizontal plane. The lower vacuum cup 240 is actuated by rod 300, which is hinged to one end of the lever 292, at the other end of which is a wheel 294 running on cam rail 50. The fulcrum of the lever is a pin 290 through a clevis 288 at the lower end of the resiliently mounted rod 280. The upper vacuum cup 224 is actuated by a rod connected to the clevis end 342 of a cam member 344, the other end of which is mounted in clevis 210. This clevis is mounted at one end of a bar 208 which is supported in guide bushing 202 mounted on the arm 200 by means of slotted flanges 203. On the other end of bar 208 is rotatably mounted a roller 209 which runs in the channel of cam rail 60. Sliding movement of bar 208 because of change in direction of cam rail 60 will result in pulling or pushing on clevis 210, which will result in rotation of cam member 344 about pin 348. The cam surface of member 344 rests on the top surface of arm 200, and rotation of the cam member raises or lowers the rod actuating cup 224. A sliding support plate 184 is mounted on the carriage and has wheels 185 and 186 mounted on it at opposite ends, riding on cam rails 51 and 52. Two arms 200 (one shown) are keyed to shaft 195 mounted in pillow blocks 196 bolted to plate 184. Rotation of shaft 195 results in the raising of arms 200 from the horizontal position (shown in full lines) to the vertical position (shown in part in broken lines), the upper edge of plate 184 being notched to permit this. Shaft 195 is mounted on a linking member 366, which is connected by shaft 364, linking member 362, and shaft 360 with a slide bar 356. This bar rims in a guide bushing 355 mounted on a supporting bar 354. At the other end of bar 356 is rotatably mounted a roller 358, engaging cam rail 64. Members 366 and 362 are both rotatable on shaft 364, at the ends of which are mounted two bearings (not shown) which abut against plates 374, which are adjustably mounted to limit movement towards the right of the Figure. By this means, horizontal movement of the bar 356 is converted to a rotation of shaft 195 and arms 200. The conveyer system is mounted on a supporting structure, which also carries cam rails to guide the carriage and to operate the apparatus carried upon it during its passage through that part of its path that is in a horizontal plane. Sideways movement of the carriage is prevented by the angle iron members 36, between which runs roller 40 secured to the underside of the carriage. The cam rail 50 controls the operation of the lower vacuum cup. The movement of support plate 184 is controlled by cam rails 51 and 52. The movement of the arm 200 carrying the upper vacuum cup is controlled by cam rail 64 in which engages roller 358. The operation of the upper vacuum cup is controlled by the cam rail 60. A cam rail (not shown) is provided in disconnected sections in which runs roller 214 to prevent movement of arm 200 during the movement of bar 208 to operate the upper vacuum cup. During this passage of the carriage, a pair of matched curved glass sheets is first placed upon it, the lower vacuum cup is then actuated to hold the lower sheet, the arm 200 is lowered on to the assembly, the plate 184 is lowered, the upper vacuum cup is actuated to hold the upper sheet, the plate 184 is raised, and the arm 200 is then raised, carrying the upper glass sheet with it. The thermoplastic interlayer is then laid upon the lower glass sheet, the arm 200 with the upper glass sheet lowered, the plate 184 lowered, the upper vacuum cup released, the plate 184 raised, the arm 200 raised and the lower vacuum cup released. The composite assembly is then removed from the apparatus on to a conveyer belt and pressed or prepressed in known apparatus.